The DB Schenker 185.2 series is the final batch of a larger one for 400 dual-tension electrics, ordered in 1999. Originally it was an option taken when the DB ordered the 145 series back in 1995.

In January 2005 a big show was set up in Kassel to officially present the new Traxx 2 platform for duel-tension AC locomotives, or Railion’s first 185.2 serie locomotive, so to speak. When the order for the mentioned 400 machines was placed, DB Schenker and Bombardier agreed on one technical update of the 185 concept half way its production. This was done because during such a long production period, technical standards keep on changing and new innovations get ready for production. By doing this the DB could take profit from technical progression. 185 001-200 represent the less modular Traxx platform.

With the roll-out of 185 201 this moment had come. Already in May 2004, Bombardier had built demonstrator 185 561 to make sure all necessary homologation processes of this new sub type, or least the one for Germany, had been finished and that delivery could go on without interruption. This however did not work out as planned. 185 561 got damaged and approval processes were delayed. 185 207 was needed for additional tests and the first 23 machines had to wait until May 2005 before they could be officially handed over to their new employer.

In 2005 the delivery plan of the 185 series was rescheduled. The original plan was to have an annual production of 50 units for the years 2001-2008. In 2005 however, DB decided to slow down delivery pace, stretching things up to September 2009. Then, by the end of 2008, the economical crisis set in, forcing the DB to shut down large parts of its locomotive fleet. Another measure they took was to stop the delivery of new machines, so production was paused in August 2009 after the completion of 185 389. The last ten units were then delivered in 2010, starting in June 2010.

Together with Green Cargo from Sweden, DB Schenker Rail Scandinavia was founded. Green Cargo ordered six extra 185.2s for this pool. 185 321-337 and 404-406 are part of this pool, and we regard 185 332-334 and 404-406 as representatives of Green Cargo's share in the company. This units have their own section: DBSRS 185.2

Yesterday, DB Schenker 185 401 and 406 made a test run together, starting in Kassel. 185 406 has been used for trials with many other locomotives in the past years. - CK
DBSRD 185.2DBSRS 185.2

2013-02-05

[DE] Railion2 logos removed on DB 185.2 series

update 2013|02|05

[DE] Railion2 logos removed on DB 185.2 series

DB Schenker 185 series locomotives of the Traxx F140 AC1 type now (almost) have had their R1 revision. This means that all machines with a livery other than the standard one with small DB logos upfront and DB logos on each side, are being restyled. This means the end of the Railion2 logo on these machines.

In the mean time, the revision cycle has progressed into the second type, the Traxx F140 AC2 machines. DB Schenker 185 201-239 were delivered with Railion2 logos. The R1 (IS770 in DB Schenker language) has been completed on unit 185 201-204, 212-214, 216 and 231 since December 2012. - MV/DR

It will not take long until this Railion2 version of the 185.2 will be totally gone. Next are the machines with DB Schenker Logistics logos.
DBSRD 185.2

2012

2012-08-08

[CH] Where the Gotthard line was blocked

update 2012|08|08

[CH] Where the Gotthard line was blocked

.
A brilliant picture. DB Schenker 185 096 pushing a 1700 tonnes freight train, passing by the location where 2500 m3 of stone rock were blown off on June 18th. Gotthard was closed for four weeks, after 2000 m3 of rock suddenly fell down on June 5th. Sadly, one worker died. - PT
DBSRD 185.2

2010

2010-10-07

[DE] 185 399...

update 2010|10|07

[DE] 185 399...

First they were taken off, the '399' vinyls, but finally it was decided to put them back on... also, yesterday, 185 399 left Kassel with its extra markings. - CK/AH
DBSRD 185.2

2010-09-30

[DE] delivery of the last Traxx F140AC to DB Schenker

update 2010|09|30

[DE] delivery of the last Traxx F140AC to DB Schenker

Yesterday, 185 399 was officially handed over to DB Schenker. With this unit, the red era in Kassel has ended. For almost ten years Bombardier has been producing Traxx F140AC electrics for the German operator. Back then, 400 locomotives were ordered, one however was delivered to DB Regio as Traxx P160AC2 (no. 146 228), explaining why no. 399 is closing the gates. Bombardier however did produce a 400th body for DB Schenker, as locomotive 185 055 got a new one after being damaged after only one year of service.

True, there are six more 185s in the red colours of DB Schenker, 185 401 to 406, but those were ordered for the DB/Green Cargo joint-venture in Scandinavia and not part of the main plan.

185 399 got some special vinyls for its inauguration, but these were removed one day later.
DBSRD 185.2

2010-08-13

[DE] DB Schenker 185 389 with a new promotional livery

update 2010|08|13

[DE] DB Schenker 185 389 with a new promotional livery

Also DB Schenker is going green with its Eco Plus program, and found a first customer for its CO2 neutral services. Locomotive 185 389 got a special livery celebrating Eco plus. It was presented yesterday. - IW
DBSRD 185.2

2010-07-29

[DE] 185 393 on its maiden run

update 2010|07|29

[DE] 185 393 on its maiden run

The latest sibling of the DB Schenker family had its maiden run today; 185 393, only six to go! - CK
DBSRD 185.2

2010-06-29

[DE] delivery DB Schenker 185.2 series continued

update 2010|06|29

[DE] delivery DB Schenker 185.2 series continued

In August 2009, DB Schenker decided to put the delivery of the 185.2 series on hold. On 05.08.2009, unit no. 185 389 was the last one to roll of the production lines in Kassel. Today Bombardier outshopped a new unit with number 185 390, proving that the production has restarted. DB Schenker still awaits ten units out of an original order of 400. Originally, Bombardier and DB Schenker and Bombardier agreed on an eight year delivery period of 50 units per year. Later on this was rescheduled several times. Now production will end with the roll-out of 185 399, almost ten years after unit 185 001 made its debute at Innotrans 2000. - CK
DBSRD 185.2

2010-02-28

[DE] update on 185 401-406

update 2010|02|28

[DE] update on 185 401-406

The red Traxx locomotives 185 401-406 are still a mysterious section in the fleet of DB Schenker and/or Green Cargo, so it seems. The facts we have:

Based on the NVR markings, now 401-403 are property of DB Schenker in Germany, 185 404-406 are owned by Green Cargo. Bombardier still sees Green Cargo as customer for all six units, but as DB Schenker gave three units to Green Cargo in 2008 (185 332-334), the DB got three units from the Swedish in return (185 401-403).

The 401-406 were all built in 2009 and got approved in May-September 2009, all being configured for running Sweden, Denmark and Germany. 401-403 however did not leave Kassel before 21.12.2009 and where then transported to Mannheim. We don't know exactly when 404-406 set sail for Northern Europe yet.

Now we have the first spots of a German 185 40x in revenue service. And we have a close up of the technical inscriptions of 185 401, 402 and 403 too. They have been re-approved for revenue service on 31.12.2009, and for Germany only. All equipment for Denmark and Sweden is disabled. Also it not allowed to use these machines in multiple traction. Therefore DB Schenker decided to hire them them to its subsidiary, RBH Logistics. The EBA numbers of 401-403 however are still the old ones; 07G10KB 028-030 are from a serie that is used for DE/DK/SE configurated machines (eg Hector Rail 241.010 is 07G10KB 027).

The delivery of DB Schenkers 185.2 series has progressed up till number 377 at this moment, but then there is a red painted Traxx machines with German service number 185 401! It concerns a Traxx AC2 locomotive fitted with the Scandinavia package, making it possible to run in Germany, Denmark and Sweden.

DB Schenker Rail and Green Cargo from Sweden plan a pool of 23 Traxx AC2s to be exploited by their common rail operator DB Schenker Rail Scandinavia. The DB 185 321-337 are now part of this pool, and Green Cargo has ordered the remaining six units to be delivered mid-2009. However, 185 332-334 have been delivered to Green Cargo, so one can say that the first three units of the Green Cargo order are already in service.

Two things can explain the existence of the 185 401; It can be the 4th locomotive for Green Cargo. Together with two other locomotives it can make the order of six complete. Or 185 401 can be the first of three machines that will be delivered to DB Schenker Rail to replace the 185 332-334. Further reseach has to make clear what is the right scenario. Maybe there is even a third reason why the 401 is being built, please let us know if you know more! - AH/DSO
DBSRD 185.2DBSRS 185.2

In the mean time 185 366 and 367 have had their maiden run. 185 364 and 365 were handed over to DB Schenker on 05.03.2009. - DSO
DBSRD 185.2

2009-02-14

[DE] new Traxx locomotives

update 2009|02|14

[DE] new Traxx locomotives

With a great thanks to our loyal contributors from the Kassel area, almost no new Traxx machine can escape from factory without being portretted on our website. Last week many shiny new units have made their first run to Fulda (DE) and back. Some examples:

In the current issue of Railways (01.2008), a magazine published online by the DB/Railion, an article can be found in which the DB makes clear how its new names, logos and identity will be applied on its rolling stock. For locomotives, not much will change; what was expected becomes reality, all machines will get only a DB logo, because this subscribes the neutral character of DB Schenker and DB Intermodal (Both DB subsidiaries for freight operation) in respect to its customers that operate in the (inter)national logistics market too. - Railways / Railion.com
DB 145DB 152DB: 182DB 185.1DB Schenker 189ECR + DB E186DB Schenker EG 3100DBSRD 185.2DBSRS 185.2

2008-01-24

[DE] Peking-Hamburg container express arrives in Germany

update 2008|01|24

[DE] Peking-Hamburg container express arrives in Germany

On January 9th, a container freight train with 49 TUE started its long voyage from Peking-China to Hamburg-Germany. Today it arrived, during a small ceremony, attendid by the chef of the Deutsche Bahn, Herr Mehdorn, in Hamburg - Germany. As it took only 15 days to travel from China to Europe, the train proves to be an interesting alternative to transport by boat, which takes up to 40 days. Rail transport to China has a big potential. However, interesting for this site, is that the train during its final kilometers, was hauled by the latest Traxx locomotive delivered, 185 317. The machine was therefore decorated with special adhesives.

Curious is that all new 185.2 series machines for DB Schenker are delivered without logos.
DBSRD 185.2

DBSRD 185.2: logo change

As the corporate identity of the operator changed several times during the delivery of this serie, also the looks of the machines changed along the way. In October 2005, Railion Deutschland was renamed Railion DB Logistics and on 06.11.2005 the very first machine got new corporate logos: 185 205. Per 25.11.2005 all new machines were delivered with DB Logistics logos, starting with 185 240. From 185 281 on all machines carry 11-digit UIC numbers on both sides.

In September 2007 the operator changed its name again; DB Schenker. Railion logos were banned; 185 313-319 were delivered without logo. In February it was decided to decorate all DB Schenker locomotives with a DB logo again, 185 320 was the first with the 'new' look. After a long confusing period of rebranding, we were back to where we started....

The decision not to decorate rolling stock with the completing DB Schenker name and logo, is based on the fact that DB wants to maintain a neutral character for its both subsidiaries for freight transport (DB Schenker and DB Intermodal) in respect to its customers that operate in the (inter)national logistics market too.

DBSRD 185.2: graphics

DB 185.2: promotional liveries

185 389 was the first unit of its sub serie to have a promotional livery, revealed at 12.08.2010. Theme is DB Schenker going green, having set up an Eco Program with which the DB can transport goods with zero CO2 emission. Audi from Ingolstadt was the first customer by then, hence the Audi logos on the locomotive.

DB 185.2: Remarkable facts..

first Traxx 2 body at Innotrans 2004

Next to SBB Cargo's Re484 001 and a single cab frame, also the first Traxx 2 body to be used for a DB Schenker locomotive was displayed at Innotrans 2004, the international railway fair in Berlin. Without numbers, and bogies for example, but with Railion 2 logos, there was no doubt who was the most important customer for Bombardier at that moment.

Turning a 185.2 locomotive into a 146.2

You may have noted that instead of 200 machines order, only 199 are listed. Being an experiment, the planned 185 400 was delivered in 2006 to DB Regio, numbered as 146 228! By doing this Bombardier could demonstrate the flexibility of the Traxx 2 platform. Maybe more 185 series machines will become 146 series in the future...

185 317 brings the Peking Express home

On January 9th, a container freight train with 49 TUE started its long voyage from Peking-China to Hamburg-Germany. On 24.01.2008 it arrived under supervision of the chef of the Deutsche Bahn, Herr Mehdorn, in Hamburg. As it took only 15 days to travel from China to Europe, rail transport proves to be an interesting alternative to shipping, which takes up to 40 days. During its final kilometers, the convoy was hauled by Railion 185 317, therefore decorated with special adhesives.

production pace rescheduled

In August 2009, DB Schenker decided to put the delivery of the 185.2 series on hold. On 05.08.2009, unit no. 185 389 was the last one to roll of the production lines in Kassel. On 29.06.2010, Bombardier outshopped a new unit with number 185 390, proving that the production was restarted. DB Schenker still awaited ten units at that moment. Originally, Bombardier and DB Schenker and Bombardier agreed on an eight year delivery period of 50 units per year. Later on this was rescheduled several times.

rol-out 185 399: delivery completed

On 29.09.2010, locomotive no. 185 399 was officially handed over to DB Schenker. With this unit, the red era in Kassel ended. For almost ten years Bombardier had been producing Traxx F140AC electrics for the German operator. 185 399 got some special vinyls for its inauguration, which where removed one day after the ceremony. Then DB asked Bombardier to apply them again, so unit 399 was delivered with the large numbers on its side.